Voltaire once said that governments need both shepherds and butchers and I think Alex may need to be more of a shepherd than a butcher in his new role, looking around this flock here and trying to secure majorities for his policies.

He will have our support when his decisions are right. We will, of course,
not oppose for its own sake.

But we will bring forward to the chamber, for robust debate, the policies in which we believe too.

I welcome the news that Alex Salmond has been elected as the first minister of Scotland. Having met with him previously in London and in Edinburgh, I am sure that he will work for the good of all the people of this country.

I have had very friendly relations with previous first ministers and members of the Scottish Executive, and I look forward to the same friendly relations continuing in the next four years of the life of this Scottish Parliament.